Interpret → Preach
For the service
John Wesley’s own Explanatory Notes Upon the Old and New Testament on the day’s readings — his verse-by-verse commentary, not a summary of it. Read the full edition ↗
first Deuteronomy 30:15-20
- v.19Chuse life — They shall have life that chuse it: they that chuse the favour of God, and communion with him, shall have what they chuse. They that come short of life and happiness, must thank themselves only. They had had them, if they had chosen them, when they were put to their choice: but they die, because they will die.
- v.20That thou mayest love the Lord thy God — Here he shews them in short, what their duty is; To love God as the Lord, a being most amiable, and as their God, a God in covenant with them: as an evidence of their love, to obey his voice in every thing, and by constancy in this love and obedience, to cleave to him all their days. And what encouragement had they to do this? For he is thy life and the length of thy days - He gives life, preserves life, restores life, and prolongs it, by his power, tho' it be a frail life, and by his presence, tho' it be a forfeited life. He sweetens life by his comforts, and compleats all in life everlasting. Moses encourages the people and Joshua, ver. 1-8. 23. Delivers to the priests the law, to be read every seventh year, ver. 9-13. God informs Moses of his approaching death, and the future apostasy of Israel, ver. 14-18. Orders him to write a song, which should be a testimony against them, ver. 19-22. Moses gives the law to the Levites to lay up beside the ark, and bids them assemble the people to hear his song, ver. 24-30.
psalm Psalm 1
- v.1Blessed — The Hebrew words are very emphatical: O the blessedness of that man! Counsel - That doth not lead his life according to their counsel, or manner of living. Standeth - Which notes a more settled abode in it. Way - In their manner of conversation. Seat - Which notes a constant and resolved perseverance in their wicked courses. Scornful - Of those who make a mock of sin, and scoff at goodness and goodmen. Divers observe a gradation in this verse; the following clause still exceeding the former, for standing is more than walking, and sitting more than standing; and sinners in scripture use, are worse than the ungodly, and the scornful are the worst of sinners.
- v.2Day and night — Not seldom and slightly, but diligently, and constantly.
- v.3Whither — His happiness is not short and transitory, but, like those trees which are continually green and flourishing.
- v.4Ungodly — Their condition is far different. Chaff - They are restless and unquiet: their seeming felicity, hath no firm foundation, but quickly vanishes and flees away as chaff before the wind.
- v.5Not stand — Not endure the trial. Judgment - In the great and general judgment of the world.
- v.6Knoweth — He approves, loves, and delights in them, and therefore will recompence them. Perish - All their designs and courses shall come to nothing, and they shall perish with them. There is nothing in this psalm which is not applicable to Christ, but some things which are not all applicable to David. Threatenings denounced against the adversaries of Christ's kingdom, ver. 1-6. Promises made to Christ, ver. 7-9. Counsel given to all, to submit to him, ver. 10-12.
second Philemon 1:1-21
- v.1This single epistle infinitely transcends all the wisdom of the world. And it gives us a specimen how Christians ought to treat of secular affairs from higher principles. Paul a prisoner of Christ — To whom, as such, Philemon could deny nothing. And Timotheus - This was written before the second epistle to Timothy, ver. xxii.
- v.2To Apphia — His wife, to whom also the business in part belonged. And the church in thy house - The Christians who meet there.
- v.5Hearing — Probably from Onesimus.
- v.6I pray that the communication of thy faith may become effectual — That is, that thy faith may be effectually communicated to others, who see and acknowledge thy piety and charity.
- v.7The saints — To whom Philemon's house was open, verse ii.
- v.8I might be bold in Christ — Through the authority he hath given me.
- v.9Yet out of love I rather entreat thee — In how handsome a manner does the apostle just hint, and immediately drop, the consideration of his power to command, and tenderly entreat Philemon to hearken to his friend, his aged friend, and now prisoner for Christ! With what endearment, in the next verse, does he call Onesimus his son, before he names his name! And as soon as he had mentioned it, with what fine address does he just touch on his former faults, and instantly pass on to the happy change that was now made upon him! So disposing Philemon to attend to his request, and the motives wherewith he was going to enforce it.
- v.10Whom I have begotten in my bonds — The son of my age.
- v.11Now profitable — None should be expected to be a good servant before he is a good man. He manifestly alludes to his name, Onesimus, which signifies profitable.
- v.12Receive him, that is, my own bowels — Whom I love as my own soul. Such is the natural affection of a father in Christ toward his spiritual children.
- v.13To serve me in thy stead — To do those services for me which thou, if present, wouldest gladly have done thyself.
- v.14That thy benefit might not be by constraint — For Philemon could not have refused it.
- v.15God might permit him to be separated (a soft word) for a season, that thou mightest have him forever — Both on earth and in heaven.
- v.16In the flesh — As a dutiful servant. In the Lord - As a fellow- Christian.
- v.17If thou accountest me a partner — So that thy things are mine, and mine are thine.
- v.19I will repay it — If thou requirest it. Not to say, that then owest me thyself - It cannot be expressed, how great our obligation is to those who have gained our souls to Christ. Beside - Receiving Onesimus.
- v.20Refresh my bowels in Christ — Give me the most exquisite and Christian pleasure.
gospel Luke 14:25-33
- v.26If any man come to me, and hate not his father — Comparatively to Christ: yea, so as actually to renounce his field, oxen, wife, all things, and act as if he hated them, when they stand in competition with him. Matt. x, 37.
- v.28And which of you intending to build a tower — That is, and whoever of you intends to follow me, let him first seriously weigh these things.
- v.31Another king — Does this mean, the prince of this world? Certainly he has greater numbers on his side. How numerous are his children and servants!
- v.33So — Like this man, who, being afraid to face his enemy, sends to make peace with him, every one who forsaketh not all that he hath - 1. By withdrawing his affections from all the creatures; 2. By enjoying them only in and for God, only in such a measure and manner as leads to him; 3. By hating them all, in the sense above mentioned, cannot be my disciple - But will surely desist from building that tower, neither can he persevere in fighting the good fight of faith.